Weather-resistant umbrella or parasol having extensible compartmented and independent openings

ABSTRACT

A system such as a foldable and unfoldable umbrella, sunshade, or parasol for protection against bad weather, includes: a pole ( 31 ), at least two bushes ( 12 ), two frames, two series of wind evacuation openings ( 8, 9 ), three mutually overlapping coverings ( 7, 10, 22 ) maintained by series of adjusters having a resilient core ( 20 ), and two safety springs ( 3, 4 ). At least two wind passages are defined by the second and third covering from a predetermined speed.

The present invention concerns a system such as a foldable and unfoldable umbrella, sunshade or parasol providing total anti-wind catching from the inside to the outside, and partial anti-wind catching from the outside against bad weather in light, medium and strong wind.

Currently, when it rains and the wind blows, it is difficult to hold an umbrella, and in sunny countries with a strong wind, it is common to see a parasol or the like blow away. An object of the invention is to solve at least one of these problems.

The invention generally concerns a system adapted to unfold which is of substantially circular shape descending from the axis towards the circumference in a corolla, when it is used as an umbrella or parasol, and of substantially rectangular descending shape, when it is used as a square or rectangular parasol.

The invention is more particularly directed to a foldable and unfoldable system for protecting against bad weather which comprises: a shaft, at least two nuts mounted on the shaft, a first frame fastened to a first nut, a first cover mounted on the first frame and which is provided with two series of openings that are made industrially or crafted for the evacuation of the wind, a second cover superposed on the first cover and linked to the first frame by a first series of elastic cored regulators. Under the effect of the wind coming from the inside and passing through a first series of openings, the second cover moves away from the first and thereby defines at least one first passage for the evacuation of the wind of which the dimensions are adjusted by the regulators according to the speed of the wind. A second frame is fastened to the second nut, a third cover is mounted on the second frame and is positioned above the second series of openings, the third cover being linked to the first frame by a second series of elastic cored regulators. Above a predetermined wind speed passing through the second series of openings, the third cover moves away from the first frame and thereby defines at least one second passage for the evacuation of stronger wind (for example gusts) and of which the dimensions are adjusted by the second series of regulators.

According to a feature, the first frame is adjustable in unfolded position relative to the shaft via a slider which slides on the shaft and which can be secured in two different positions by virtue of two safety springs fastened to the shaft, one of the two positions corresponding to a partial opening of the first frame to reduce the catching of the wind coming from the outside and the other position corresponding to a secured total opening of the umbrella or parasol.

According to a feature, the two nuts are spaced from each other along the shaft, by a desired distance which gives a chosen angle between the second frame and the shaft, thereby enabling the creation of at least a second passage for the wind with a predetermined speed depending on that angle.

According to a feature the second nut is movably mounted along the shaft in order to adjust the angle depending on the force of the wind.

According to a feature, the movable nut is adapted to slide along the shaft under the action of the force of the wind and is retarded by a spring which is blocked by an abutment, the second series of regulators performing their function of regulation when the spring is in abutment.

According to a feature, the second cover superposed and fastened at its top to the first cover enables a light or medium wind to be dealt with, the separation between the two covers being controlled by the first series of regulators linked to first spokes of the first frame.

According to a feature, the second cover is equipped with second spokes which are shorter than the first spokes and which are provided to fasten the regulators.

According to a feature, the third cover is directly fastened to the second frame with spokes of chosen length and is linked, via the second series of regulators, to the first frame or to the second cover.

According to a feature, as the distance between the nuts creates an angle between the second frame and the shaft, the length of the spokes of the second frame and the distance between the nuts enable the sensitivity to the wind of the third cover to be adjusted, which creates independent compartmentalized wind passages between the first and the second covers, and between the second and third covers.

According to a feature, the unfolding of the third cover is linked to the unfolding of the first and of the second covers as is its folding.

According to a feature, the regulators each comprise an elastic core constituted by one or more strands enabling stretching that is adapted according to the force of the wind.

According to a feature, the regulators each comprise a flexible envelope surrounding the elastic core and which is deformable by variation in tension in the elastic core. The envelope is adapted to surround the elastic core. The envelope is manufactured without modifying the braiding densities with no anchorage point relative to the elastic core.

According to a feature, the envelope is not acted upon, acted upon to 50% or to the maximum.

According to a feature, each regulator comprises two opposite ends, one end being provided by a loop for its connection with spokes, the other end being free.

According to a feature, the free end of each regulator is inserted into a molded clip provided with a slot and which is fastened to a first spoke, or to the first cover (for example sewn onto the first cover), the end of the regulator provided with the loop being fastened to a shorter spoke than the first spoke.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, and which is given with reference to the attached Figures which include:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a shaft (31) with two frames, two nuts (1,2) and two sets of spokes (5,6), forks (25), two safety springs (3,4) and a slider (19) according to the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a diagram of a fixed nut (2) and a movable nut (1), a sensitive extendable spring (34) being held at its base onto the upper part of the first nut (2) and an abutment (35) being fastened at the top of the extendable spring.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the first cover (7) with two series of openings (8,9).

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the second cover (10) equipped with small spokes inserted into its first third, which cover is superposed and sewn at its top (11) onto the first cover (7) and covering all of the first series of openings (9) according to the invention.

FIG. 4 represents the third cover which takes into account more violent winds, gusts or other gaseous movements.

FIG. 5 represents the first, second and third covers put into place, according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a deformable regulator when not acted upon, according to the invention.

FIG. 6 a is a diagram of a deformable regulator in partial action, according to the invention.

FIG. 6 b is a diagram of a deformable regulator fully in action according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a clip (15) formed from different materials, which enables the regulator to be fastened to the spokes with a hollow part (24) on the inside to hold one end of the regulator, and domed (33) on the outside.

FIG. 8 is a diagram in cross-section of the second (10) and third (22) covers when not acted upon.

FIG. 8 a is a diagram in cross-section of the second cover (10) diverging from the first cover (7) under the action of a light or medium strength wind, the third cover (22) being closed.

FIG. 8 b is a diagram in cross-section of the second (10) and third (22) covers diverging from the first cover (7) under the action of a strong wind or gust.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view from above of the first cover (7) with three series of openings (36, 37,38), used as a square parasol or the like, according to the invention.

FIG. 9 a is a diagrammatic view from above of the second cover on a parasol (27) which is superposed and sewn at its top (11) onto the first cover (7) and covering the first series of openings on the parasol (36), as well as the small spokes (12) inserted with the regulators (20) fastened above, according to the invention.

FIG. 9 b is a diagrammatic view from above, of the second cover (27) and the third cover (28) on a parasol, and which are superposed and sewn at their tops (11) onto the first cover (7) and covering the first and second series of openings on the parasol (36, 37), as well as the small spokes (12) inserted with the regulators (20) fastened above, according to the invention.

FIG. 9 c is a diagrammatic view from above of the second (27) and third (28) covers on a parasol, superposed and sewn at their tops (11) on the first cover (7) and covering the first and the second series of openings on the parasol (36, 37), a fourth cover (29) on a parasol being fastened onto the second frame with the second nut (1) and covering the third series of openings of the parasol (38) according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a foldable and unfoldable system for protecting against bad weather (rain, etc.) or the sun such as an umbrella comprises: a shaft (31) equipped with a double frame for example made from different materials and two nuts, one fixed (2) and one moveable (1) onto which spokes of each of the frames are fastened. The movable nut is attached to the shaft by an extendable spring so as to produce a mechanical force oriented towards the tip (26) according to the force of the wind (FIG. 1 a). The stronger the wind, the more the moveable nut (1) compresses the extendable spring against the tip.

A first frame (FIG. 1) comprises a set of spokes (6) fastened by one end to the fixed nut (2) and a set of rods or forks (25) which are each hingedly linked by one end to a spoke (6) and by an opposite end to a part (19) movably mounted along the shaft and which is termed slider.

When the slider forming part (19) is moved by sliding along the shaft it enables all the spokes (6) to be deployed by moving them away from the shaft or else to fold them back along the shaft.

A second frame comprises a set of spokes (56) fastened by one end to the nut (1).

Two safety springs (3,4) are provided on the shaft. Safety spring (3) enables the slider to be secured and thus to fix the position of the first deployed frame, whereas the additional safety position (4) enables partial anti-catching by the wind to be given from the outside by fixing a less deployed position of the first frame. To be precise, this additional spring (4) enables the slider to be secured lower down in order to reduce the pushing by the wind on the umbrella or parasol. The number of spokes of the frame may vary depending on the model of umbrella or parasol. There will either be the same number of spokes on both nuts, or half the number of spokes fastened onto nut (1) relative to nut (2).

The nuts are spaced apart with a spacing (23) between the second frame and the shaft which is greater or lesser depending on the angle chosen.

The system according to the invention comprises (FIG. 2) a first cover (7) fastened to the spokes (6) of the first frame and which has the particular feature of having two series of openings on its larger portion. A first series of openings (9) are provided for example on the first third of that cover (in the parts of the cover situated between the spokes) and a second series of openings (8) are arranged at the top which pass around the umbrella or parasol. The first series of openings is placed sufficiently high on the cover to ensure fluid-tightness when it is covered by a second cover (7) described below. The openings are produced for example from textile with a very course mesh size or industrially pierced, which also enables the first cover to be stiffened, and gives great freedom for passage of the wind or of other gaseous movements.

The system of the invention also comprises a second cover (10) which enables a light or medium strength of wind or of other gaseous movements to escape in a chosen direction (FIGS. 3 and 8 a). The second cover is larger than the first series of openings (9) in order to have a fluid-tight and protective effect. It is sewn at its top at a region (11) on the first cover (7) to compartmentalize the outlet of wind through a first passage and is equipped with small spokes (12) inserted into the second cover to fasten a first series of regulators (20). The second cover (10) does not turn back since it is held by deformable regulators with a chosen and limited stretch. Lastly, the first series of openings is sufficiently wide not to undergo pressure or allow the wind to catch, inside the umbrella or parasol.

Under the action of a light or medium strength wind (for example for wind speeds up to approximately 40 km/h) the second cover (10) moves away from the first cover (7), as shown in FIG. 8 a, due to passing through the openings (9) by the wind which raises the second cover.

Next, the wind escapes laterally by the passage or passages provided between the free end of the second cover where the regulators (20) and the first cover are fastened.

The regulators increasingly stretch elastically according to the speed of the wind, until they reach their maximum stretch.

The second cover thus moves away from the first cover in controlled manner by virtue of the first series of extendable regulators (20) which limit the movement away.

The system according to the invention comprises a third cover (22) fastened onto the spokes (5) of the second frame and which manages strong winds or other violent gaseous movements. Fastened by a fixed or movable nut (1), the shorter spokes (5) are adapted, in order to enable optimum evacuation of the wind. This is the cover which takes over (FIG. 8 b), when the second cover (10) can no longer deal with the evacuation of the wind or other gaseous movements (for example for wind speeds above approximately 40 km/h).

The third cover (22) covers the second series of openings (8) that are arranged beyond the second cover and comes to cover the second cover (10) so as to ensure fluid-tightness. The third cover is fastened to the second cover by a second series of regulators (20) (FIGS. 8, 8 a and 8 b) which have substantially the same structure as the first ones. As already stated, the distance (23) between the nuts (1) and (2), which may be adjusted (for the same umbrella) when nut (1) is moveable, confers an angle between the second frame (spokes 5) and the shaft. The sharper the angle, the greater the force of wind necessary to open/deploy the third cover.

It will be noted that the length of the spokes (5) also influences the sensitivity to the wind of the third cover since it determines the area thereof. The longer the spokes, the greater the force of wind necessary to open/deploy the third cover.

Thus, from a predetermined wind speed (for example around 40 km/h and above) the third cover starts to lift, to move away from the first cover and to tension the regulators and, if the wind is sufficiently violent, the regulators stretch to their maximum stretch. The moving away of the third cover is thus controlled by the second series of regulators.

During this movement of the third cover, the second cover remains apart from the first cover with the first regulators stretched.

It will be noted that nut (1) is moveable and spring mounted (FIG. 1 a), as from the predetermined wind speed mentioned above, it is first of all this nut which rises by compressing the spring (34) until it enters into abutment, before the third cover rises. The principle of the regulators is to have a minimum separation to press the second and the third cover when not acted on by the wind, against the first cover and also to have a maximum stretch to enable a maximum opening which lets the wind or the other gaseous movements escape. The operation of the regulator is linked to its manufacture. It is constituted by at least one elastic strand (13), in a single piece, (or by several strands of the same length), of greater or lesser thickness and which constitutes an elastic core. The strand or strands are for example of elastane. Each regulator comprises a flexible envelope surrounding the elastic core and which is deformable by variation in tension of the core.

The flexible (for example non-elastic) envelope has no point of anchorage with the elastic strand. The envelope is for example of textile and is deformable by variation in tension of the elastic strand or strands without modification of the braiding densities.

The envelope passes from a position at which it is not acted upon (FIG. 6), in which it adopts the shape of a ball, to a position stretched to 50% (FIG. 6 a) when the wind begins to move apart for example the second cover (10) from the first cover (7). The position of maximum stretch (FIG. 6 b) is that for which the separation between the covers is maximum, this position being calculated according to the strength of the wind.

These regulators are held by clips (FIG. 1) and fastened to the spokes or sewn onto the covers. The clips are molded in one piece, with a hollow part (24) which enables one of the two opposite ends of the regulator to be inserted. At the other end, a loop (32) enables the regulator to be mounted onto a spoke (12).

Several spokes (12) of shorter length than that of the spokes (6) of the first frame are fastened to the second cover (10) (FIG. 3) independently of the spokes (6).

The regulators are fastened by one end to the first cover (7) at the spokes (6) and are mounted on the spokes (12), which gives some freedom of movement on unfolding and folding again since putting the regulators under tension is thus avoided while the wind is not yet exerting any force on the second cover.

The systems according to the invention, such as umbrellas, sunshades, and parasols are for example square or corolla shaped. According to other variant embodiments, the system will have substantially straight shapes, to equip rectangular or square areas.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular structures, it is in no way limited thereto and numerous variations may be made thereto.

The combinations of the different embodiments shown in the drawings or described above do not depart from the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   1. Fixed or movable nut     -   2. Fixed nut     -   3. The upper safety spring     -   4. The partial wind catching safety spring     -   5. Spokes on nut 1     -   6. Spokes on nut 2     -   7. First cover on umbrella or parasol     -   8. 2^(nd) series of openings at the top on the first cover on         the umbrella     -   9. 1^(st) series of openings on the first third on the first         cover on the umbrella     -   10. Second cover on umbrella     -   11. Fastening region of the first cover on umbrella or parasol     -   12. Spokes inserted into the covers     -   13. Elastic strands     -   14. Textile envelope     -   15. Fastening clips     -   16. Regulator not acted upon     -   17. Regulator stretched to 50%     -   18. Regulator stretched to 100%     -   19. Slider     -   20. Regulator not acted upon and fastened     -   21. Regulator stretched and fastened     -   22. Third cover     -   23. Distance between two nuts     -   24. Hollow part to accommodate one end of the regulator     -   25. Forks     -   26. Tip     -   27. Second cover on the parasol     -   28. Third cover on the parasol     -   29. Fourth cover on the parasol     -   30. Handle     -   31. Shaft     -   32. Loop to fasten onto the spokes     -   33. Slightly dome-shaped part to accommodate the regulator end     -   34. Extendable sensitive spring     -   35. Abutment     -   36. 1^(st) series of openings on parasol     -   37. 2^(nd) series of openings on parasol     -   38. 3^(rd) series of openings on parasol 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A system such as an umbrella or parasol that is foldable and unfoldable for protection against bad weather, comprising: a shaft (31), at least two nuts mounted on the shaft, a first frame fastened to a first nut (2), a first cover (7) mounted on the first frame and which is provided with two series of openings (8,9) for the evacuation of wind, a second cover (10) superposed on the first cover and linked to the first frame by a first series of elastic cored regulators, under the effect of the wind coming from the inside and passing through a first series of openings (9), the second cover moving away from the first and thereby defining at least one first passage for the evacuation of the wind of which the dimensions are adjusted by the regulators according to the speed of the wind, a second frame fastened to the second nut (1), a third cover (22) mounted on the second frame and which is positioned above the second series of openings (8), the third cover being linked to the first frame or to the second cover by a second series of elastic cored regulators, above a predetermined wind speed passing through the second series of openings (8), the third cover moving away from the first frame and thereby defining at least one second passage for the evacuation of stronger wind and of which the dimensions are adjusted by the second series of regulators.
 16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that the first frame is adjustable in unfolded position relative to the shaft via a slider which slides on the shaft and, can be secured in two different positions by virtue of two safety springs fastened to the shaft, one of the two positions (4) corresponding to a partial opening of the first frame to reduce the catching of the wind coming from the outside and the other position (3) corresponding to a secured total opening of the umbrella or parasol.
 17. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that the two nuts are spaced from each other along the shaft, by a desired distance (23) which gives a chosen angle between the second frame and the shaft, thereby enabling the creation of at least one second passage for the wind with a predetermined speed depending on that angle.
 18. A system according to claim 17, characterized in that the second nut (1) is movably mounted along the shaft in order to adjust the angle depending on the force of the wind.
 19. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that the movable nut is adapted to slide along the shaft under the action of the force of the wind and is retarded by a spring (34) which is blocked by an abutment (35), the second series of regulators performing their function of regulation when the spring is in abutment.
 20. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that the second cover (10) superposed and fastened at its top to the first cover (7) enables a light or medium wind to be dealt with, the separation between the two covers being controlled by the first series of regulators linked to first spokes of the first frame.
 21. A system according to claim 20, characterized in that the second cover (10) is equipped with second spokes which are shorter than the first spokes and which are provided to fasten the regulators.
 22. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that the third cover (22) is directly fastened to the second frame with spokes of chosen length and is linked, via the second series of regulators, to the first frame or to the second cover.
 23. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that as the distance between the nuts creates an angle between the second frame and the shaft, the length of the spokes of the second frame and the distance between the nuts enable the sensitivity to the wind of the third cover to be adjusted, which creates independent compartmentalized wind passages between the first and the second covers, and between the second and third covers.
 24. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that the unfolding of the third cover (22) is linked to the unfolding of the first (7) and of the second (10) covers as is its folding.
 25. A system according to claim 24, characterized in that the regulators each comprise an elastic core constituted by one or more elastic strands (13) enabling stretching that is adapted according to the force of the wind.
 26. A system according to claim 25, characterized in that the regulators each comprise a flexible envelope surrounding the elastic core and which is deformable by variation in tension of the elastic core.
 27. A system according to claim 25, characterized in that each regulator comprises two opposite ends, one end (32) being provided by a loop for its connection with spokes, the other end being free.
 28. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that the free end of each regulator is inserted into a molded clip (15) provided with a slot and which is fastened to a first spoke or to the first cover, the end of the regulator provided with the loop being fastened to a shorter spoke than the first spoke.
 29. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the two nuts are spaced from each other along the shaft, by a desired distance (23) which gives a chosen angle between the second frame and the shaft, thereby enabling the creation of at least one second passage for the wind with a predetermined speed depending on that angle.
 30. A system according to claim 26, characterized in that each regulator comprises two opposite ends, one end (32) being provided by a loop for its connection with spokes, the other end being free. 